Spain aims for a convincing victory against Saudi Arabia on Sunday to regain momentum in their World Cup campaign, following criticism after a scoreless draw in their opening match.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente acknowledged his players were disappointed by the backlash after being held by Cape Verde, a debutant nation with a population of just over half a million. The European champions, considered tournament favorites, struggled to score despite the return of Lamine Yamal, who played as a substitute due to injury.
De la Fuente, who had previously hailed his squad as the world's best, expressed confidence that they would demonstrate their true capabilities. "This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up... It's going to be a completely different story," he stated, emphasizing the need for a win without framing it as a crisis. The fitness of 18-year-old winger Yamal remains a focal point, with De la Fuente under pressure to include him from the start despite him not yet being match-fit for a full game.
Saudi Arabia also began their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay. Meanwhile, Cape Verde's coach, Pedro Leitao Brito, known as "Bubista," declared his team would play "without fear" against Uruguay, aiming to prove their competitive level on the world stage. Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha, will have his mother in attendance after a visa delay, following her emotional appeal.
In other fixtures, Iran faces Belgium, and Egypt plays New Zealand. Iran's coach, Amir Ghalenoei, claimed travel restrictions had negatively impacted his team's performance, though he anticipates eased restrictions for their final group game. Germany secured their place in the knockout stages with a dramatic late victory over Ivory Coast, marking their first progression to the final 32 since 2014. Their qualification was further bolstered by Curacao's surprising draw with Ecuador, ensuring Germany wins their group with a game to spare.
The Netherlands remains on track for qualification after a decisive win against Sweden. Japan is now level on points with the Dutch following a comfortable victory over Tunisia, marking the 1,000th game in World Cup history.
